I have been thinking about having a 416 Rigby built out of one of my existing rifles or another used rifle I can get cheaply. The canidates are a Weatherby Mark V, currently a 300 WM that I own. The other is a Winchester model 70 classic 338 mag that I can pick up for $400 from a friend. What would the pros and cons of each action type be as far as turning it into a 416 Rigby?? I see that Winchester does not offer the Rigby option this year from the custom shop, did they have problems? Remember, I need a LEFT HAND action. this rules out the CZ. I do not want to spend the money for a Dakota barreled action (almost $3000). If the Rigby proves to to much trouble, I would just make a 416 Rem Mag. I want a classic style walnut stock. 24" barrel with open sights (single fixed blade zeroed for 50 yards)and a 2.5x fixed Leupold scope in removable mounts. I can do the stock work myself. I will need to have someone do the action and barrel. What kind of cost could I be looking at? Any suggestions would be great!

[ 02-05-2003, 04:29: Message edited by: Iron Buck ]

If I'm not mistaken neither one of those actions will accomodate the Rigby as I think it takes a magnum length action and those are both standard long actions.

I also use left-handed rifles and own a model 70 in .375HH. I believe it is the same length action as the rifles you describe and I think it can be converted to the .416 Rem Mag. but not the Rigby.

Does weatherby make a lefty off the 378 case? that would be the best/easist...

the weatherby 300 is based of the HH case, and would be a very simple rebarrel to 416 rem.

I've got the rem, and the first thing out of my mouth, after I am asked "what do you hunt with that" is "it's the same as the rigby"

jeffe

Iron buck,

WTF are you going to do with a .416 Rigby?

The .378/.416/.460Wby action would be an 'easy' conversion, but it's not CRF.

No, we lefties are SOL when it comes to Rigby-sized actions. The ones that are available are big $$$$.

Just go with a .416 Hoffman or Remington Mag. on any long-action magnum M-70 (or Montana 1999) action. It will do everything the .416 Rigby will do, albeit at higher pressures.

George

The Model 70 can be converted to .416 Rigby, but you have to cut an awful lot of material out of the action. It ends up looking a little awkward, and I imagine it cuts into the margin of safety.

The only smith I know of who will do it is Mike Kizler. Kizler's

Best,
Joe

I know that Weatherby offered the 378/416/460 Mark Vs in left handed versions. This case is basically a belted Rigby, so the action will handle it. When they made the mark V in these calibers they limited it to (2) rounds in the magazine and stacked them vertically. I would want atleast (3) in the magazine.I am pretty sure(not certain) my 300WM mark V is the same length as these. I am not certain, but I think this action could be converted to handle the Rigby. I am looking for knowledgable advice on this one! Also, Does anyone know what Winchesters custom shop did when they offered M70 416 Rigbys? Was this a speacial action?

I realize that the easy solution is to use the 416 Rem mag or Hoffman..........but is not often I do anything the easy way LOL. If I find out that the Rigby is either to hard to do or it will cost to much money, I will then do one of the standard 416 mags. I would rather put the saved money into my Cape Buffalo fund!

Does anyone know if my MArk V action in 300 WBY could be economocaly converted to 416 Rigby?

Iron buck,

See this thread for John Ricks' explanation of what would be required for .300Wby. to .378Wby. conversion (same case as the Rigby, with a belt added).

.300 to .378 conversion

George

Iron Buck,

I recommend you wait if you want a left-hand action that will hold the .416 Rigby; both Montana Rifleman and two other companies are going to bring LH magnum actions to market. So far they have announced prices at around $500, $1,000 and $1,500 -- so you can take your pick when they eventually arrive.

If you don't want to wait and will settle for the .416 Remington, find a left-handed Model 70 in .375 H&H and have at it. They have been available recently.

I think your proposed conversions would consume a lot of long green.

jim dodd

What are the other two??
#1 Williams is one
#2 ???

B. Searcy

Thanks for all the added input. After seeing how difficult the conversion of either action is I think I will just rebarrel a Model 70 classic to 416 Remington Mag. It looks as if there is no economical way for me to own a LH Rigby.

The Model 70 action simply isn't big enough to be ideal for the .416 Rigby cartridge, and while the Weatherby Mark V action would certainly work, it's out of character for that cartridge. The answer to your question depends upon how much you're willing to spend, and that's where the wheat gets seperated from the chaf.

The LH Dakota action is an option, of course, but I'd rather have a pre-war commercial Mauser, Granite Mountain, or Johannsen Mauser action that was built, BY INTENT (important concept!) for the .416 Rigby cartridge, complete with a correctly-engineered magazine box, follower, and follower spring. The idea of trying to turn an '09 Argentine (designed for for the 7.65 Argetine Mauser cartridge) for example, into a .416 Rigby is insane, even though it's been done (after a fashion).

All of these recommended actions are very expensive, but that's the price of poker if you want a classic and proper custom .416 Rigby.

AD

If you just wanted a 416 Rigby to have and inexpensive, go the ambidetrous route and get a Ruger #1. Can be had in stainless or blue/walnut and shot equally as well right or left handed.

I shoot lefty, as I'm left eye dominant, but like a right hand bolt. For a true left hand action, I would look at the Vektor ($2000), Dakota or Granite Mountain actions. Instead of a .416 Rigby really look at a .458 Lott or Ackley on the left hand M70.-Rob